Pendulum golf putter

ABSTRACT

A golf putter adapted for pendulum type swinging movement by use of one hand of the golfer for putting a golf ball and which is comprised generally of a rectangular mallet type putter club head with a vertical shaft extending upward from the geometrical center of the club head with the top end of the shaft having affixed thereto a semi-circular C-shaped band projecting perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and adapted to support the shaft about the upper portion of an individual&#39;&#39;s arm, the shaft being bent intermediate the club head and top end into a general horizontally disposed V-shape with the top leg of the V defining a handle or gripping area adapted to be gripped by the individual&#39;&#39;s hand such that the putter can be actuated by the individual in a pendulum type movement.

United States Patent [191 Flege Apr. 1, 1975 PENDULUM GOLF PUTTER [76] Inventor: John H. Flege, 33 E. 40th St.,

Covington, Ky. 41015 22 Filed: Jan. 17, 1974 211 App]. No.: 434,086

[52] US. Cl. 273/81.3 [51] Int. Cl A631) 53/14 [58] Field of Search... 273/77 R, 80 C, 81.3, 162 R, 273/165, 166. 167 R, 167 G, 168-175, 273/188194, 67 R, 67 C, 83

3,574,349 4/1971 Kropp 273/80 C X Primary Examiner--Richard J. Apley [5 7] ABSTRACT A golf putter adapted for pendulum type swinging movement by use of one hand of the golfer for putting a golf ball and which is comprised generally of a rectangular mallet type putter club head with a vertical shaft extending upward from the geometrical center of the club head with the top end of the shaft having affixed thereto a semi-circular C-shaped band projecting perpendicular to the axis of the shaft and adapted to support the shaft about the upper portion of an individuals arm, the shaft being bent intermediate the club head and top end into a general horizontally disposed V-shape with the top leg of the V defining a handle or gripping area adapted to be gripped by the individuals hand such that the putter can be actuated by the individual in a pendulum type movement.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FEJENTEU APR 1 1975 PENDULUM GOLF PUTTER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to golf clubs and more particularly to a new and novel golf putter adapted for one hand putting of a golf ball.

2. Description of the Prior Art The sport of golf is of an ever increasing popularity due to the fact that persons of virtually any age, regardless of lack of athletic prowess or most physical handicaps, may participate in the game. In the play of the game of golf it has been determined that the putter club is the single most important club used in the play of the game. Putters come in many different types of designs, with it being found that the most accurate type of putter is that of the croquet type or pendulum type with the putting being accomplished by the pendulum type movement of the club between an individuals legs with the individual facing the direction in which the ball is to be putted. However, this style of putting between an individuals legs was ruled illegal by golf societies with it being required that a golfer putt from the side of the ball.

In addition, while special clubs have been designed for use by handicapped persons who may only have one arm, such clubs are difficult for the person to use during putting in order to obtain any accuracy such that i the handicapped person is provided with still a greater handicap due to lack of appropriately designed putting clubs permitting efficient putting by such handicapped persons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available conventional type golf putters, as well as recognizing the disadvantage of one armed handicapped golf players, and provides a novel solution to both problems in the form of a pendulum type golf putter adapted for putting a golf ball with the use of only a single hand and which is adapted for use with the individual putting from the side of the ball as called for by conventional golfing rules, with the putter providing a smooth pendulum motion in a general croquet style for the accurate and efficient putting of the golf ball in the desired direction and with the desired velocity.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a pendulum golf putter providing for the accurate and efficient one hand putting of a golf ball.

A further feature of the present invention provides a pendulum golf putter adapted for use by handicapped persons having only a single hand and which provides for the accurate putting by such handicapped persons.

Among the further features and advantages of the present invention is the provision of a pendulum type golf putter which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods; one which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order; one which is rugged and durable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand many years of intended usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance; one which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation; one which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread use; and one which is otherwise well adapted to perform the services required of it.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of an individual using the golf putter of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the golf putter of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the golf putter of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 2 and generally illustrating the handle or gripping portion of the golf putter of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a golf putter constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which, as seen in FIG. 1, is adapted for accurate putting using one hand 11 and the associated arm 12 of an individual 13 who is standing on one side of a golf ball 14 in position to putt the golf ball from the side thereof as called for by conventional rules.

The golf putter 10 is comprised of an elongated rectangular mallet type club head 21 having a striking front face 22 and with a vertical shaft 25 affixed to the club head through the top surface 26 thereof at the geometrical center of the club head, the shaft extending upright therefrom to a point 26 where it is bent in the direction of the club head face 22 at an angle of from to to form shaft portion 27 which extends to point 28 from whence it is bent back onto itself at an angle of from 120 to to define shaft portion 29 which extends to point 30 from whence the shaft is bent into a vertical direction parallel to the axis of shaft portion 25 and generally designated by reference numeral 31 from whence the shaft extends upright and terminates at top end 32. The portions of the shaft defined by reference numeral 26-30 define a general V-shape with the apex of the V pointing in a direction forwardly of the club.

The shaft portion 29 defines a handle member with a grip portion 33 wrapped thereabout to provide a firm gripping surface for the individuals hand 11, the grip being manufactured of leather, cork, plastic, rubber, or any other suitable satisfactory material with the preferred material being molded rubber such as butyl or neoprene.

Affixed to top end 32 by rivets 35 is the bight portion of a C-shaped or semi-circular band 36 which extends perpendicular to the axis of shaft portion 31 in a direction forwardly of the club so as to lie substantially parallel to the club head 21. The band 36 defines a notch like opening between the legs 37 and bight portion 38 thereof adapted to engage the arm portion 12 of the individual user 13.

In operation, an individual stands by the side of the golf ball 14 and then grips the gripping portion 33 in one hand 11 with the band 36 engaged about the individuals forearm, the individual then swinging the golf putter in pendulum arcuate manner to strike the golf ball 14 with the club head face 22 in a manner to propell the golf ball in the desired direction at the desired velocity and in an accurate manner.

The shaft of the golf putter as designated by reference numerals 2532 may be manufactured out of wood, aluminum, fiberglass, steel, or any other suitable satisfactory material with the preferred embodiment being manufactured of a steel shaft, either of a solid configuration or tubular hollow configuration, which is preferably chrome plated for purposes of appearance and protection against rust and corrosion. The club head 21 may be manufactured out of aluminum, brass, or any other suitable satisfactory material with the preferred embodiment being manufactured out of cast aluminum or cast brass and appropriately chrome plated for purposes of appearance and protection against rust and corrosion and the like.

As seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, handle portion 29 extends downwardly and outwardly from shaft portion 31 at an angle of about 120, with it being understood that this angle may be varied by the manufacturer to that of from 90 to 120.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. A golf putter club comprising:

an elongated club head having top and bottom surfaces, two side surfaces, and two end surfaces, with one of said end surfaces being the golf ball striking face;

a shaft having a main portion with one end affixed to the top surface at geometrical center of said club head with said shaft projecting vertically upwardly therefrom to a position spaced outwardly therefrom, said shaft at said position being bent into a general V-shaped configuration with the apex of said V-shape pointing forwardly of said club head in the direction of said ball striking face, said V- shaped portion having a bottom leg projecting at an angle to said shaft axis, and a top leg disposed at an angle to said shaft axis;

a handle member substantially coplanar and aligned with and formed on said top leg portion of said V- shaped shaft portion;

said shaft further extending from said top leg portion of said V-shaped portion in an upright vertical direction parallel to the axis of said main shaft portion adjacent said club head and terminating in a top end; and

a semi-circular band having a bight portion and opposed leg portions defining an arm receiving notch therebetween, said bight portion permanently affixed to said terminal end of said shaft with said band projecting symmetrical with said shaft in a direction forwardly of said shaft pointing toward said club head ball striking surface and being substantially parallel to said club head, said band adapted to receive an arm portion of an individual therein when the individual grips said handle portion in the hand associated with said arm whereby the golf putter can be actuated by the individual in a pendulum movement to strike the golf ball and propell the golf ball accurately in the desired direction andwith the desired velocity.

2. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle member further comprises a grip portion formed thereabout and adapted to assist an individual in firmly gripping the golf club at this position thereon.

3. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 2 wherein said top leg portion of said V-shaped portion extends from the apex to said upright shaft portion a length greater than the length of said first leg portion to overlie the axis of said main shaft portion adjacent said club head, the upright shaft portion adjacent said second leg portion being out of alignment with said main shaft portion adjacent said club head and with said upright shaft portion disposed rearwardly of said main shaft portion.

4. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 3 wherein said club head is of an elongated rectangular configuration generally of the mallet type.

5. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first leg portion extends at an angle to said main shaft portion of from to in a direction forwardly of said club; and wherein said second leg portion extends at an angle relative to said upright shaft portion of from about 90 to about 120 in a direction forwardly of said club. 

1. A golf putter club comprising: an elongated club head having top and bottom surfaces, two side surfaces, and two end surfaces, with one of said end surfaces being the golf ball striking face; a shaft having a main portion with one end affixed to the top surface at geometrical center of said club head with said shaft projecting vertically upwardly therefrom to a position spaced outwardly therefrom, said shaft at said position being bent into a general V-shaped configuration with the apex of said Vshape pointing forwardly of said club head in the direction of said ball striking face, said V-shaped portion having a bottom leg projecting at an angle to said shaft axis, and a top leg disposed at an angle to said shaft axis; a handle member substantially coplanar and aligned with and formed on said top leg portion of said V-shaped shaft portion; said shaft further extending from said top leg portion of said V-shaped portion in an upright vertical direction parallel to the axis of said main shaft portion adjacent said club head and terminating in a top end; and a semi-circular band having a bight portion and opposed leg portions defining an arm receiving notch therebetween, said bight portion permanently affixed to said terminal end of said shaft with said band projecting symmetrical with said shaft in a direction forwardly of said shaft pointing toward said club head ball striking surface and being substantially parallel to said club head, said band adapted to receive an arm portion of an individual therein when the individual grips said handle portion in the hand associated with said arm whereby the golf putter can be actuated by the individual in a pendulum movement to strike the golf ball and propell the golf ball accurately in the desired direction and with the desired velocity.
 2. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle member further comprises a grip portion formed thereabout and adapted to assist an individual in firmly gripping the golf club at this position thereon.
 3. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 2 wherein said top leg portion of said V-Shaped portion extends from the apex to said upright shaft portion a length greater than the length of said first leg portion to overlie the axis of said main shaft portion adjacent said club head, the upright shaft portion adjacent said second leg portion being out of alignment with said main shaft portion adjacent said club head and with said upright shaft portion disposed rearwardly of said main shaft portion.
 4. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 3 wherein said club head is of an elongated rectangular configuration generally of the mallet type.
 5. The golf putter club as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first leg portion extends at an angle to said main shaft portion of from 90* to 120* in a direction forwardly of said club; and wherein said second leg portion extends at an angle relative to said upright shaft portion of from about 90* to about 120* in a direction forwardly of said club. 